New Musts

The New Musts of Belgium

Besides the obvious stop to the Grand Place, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, here is a list of suggestions to add to your programs and to design new itineraries. Even when venturing into French-speaking Belgium, everything is within 60 minutes of Brussels!

A Taste of Belgium - Celebrate the Year of Gastronomy in 2012

Eat Your Way through Belgium

Belgium is a gourmet paradise, boasting the highest density of Michelin star-rated restaurants in Europe. Experiencing a truly delicious and original meal does not require a 3-star restaurant. From street foods like waffles with the toppings of your choice to traditional dishes like moules frites, we can provide a range of suggestions on where to go for a memorable meal in Brussels and French-speaking Belgium.

For guided tours and tastings, contact:
Sasha, Bus Bavard: +32 2 673 18 35 (www.busbavard.be)
Joyce, QualiGuides: +32 472 97 05 96 (www.qualiguides.be)

One Beer at a Time

With over 500 different varieties, beer is more than a beverage in Belgium - it is a culture. Many Belgian beers even have personalized beer glasses, whose shape is designed to enhance the flavor of its specific beer.

Breweries
Orval Brewery - A monastic brewery producing Orval's famous Trappist beer and other local specialties (www.orval.be)
Maredsous Abbey - This Benedictine Abbey produces three versions of its famous beer, as well as a specialty cheese (www.maredsous.be)

Visit the Beer Lovers page at www.visitbelgium.com

"Choc" Full of Fun

Belgian chocolate has been a lure for lovers and once the indulgence of the rich. Presently, Belgium produces 172,000 tons of chocolate per year with more than 2,000 chocolate shops throughout the country.

Chocolate Shops
Laurent Gerbaud Chocolatier - A new shop in Brussels across from the Royal Museum of Fine Arts blending chocolate with fruits and spices (www.chocolatsgerbaud.be)
La Maison des Maitres Chocolatiers Belges - Houses the work of 10 Belgian master chocolatiers on the Grand Place (www.mmcb.be)
Zaabar - This factory and chocolate shop offers hands-on classes and tastings for all ages (www.zaabar.be)

Mons - 2015 European Cultural Capital (www.mons2015.eu)

Doudou Festival - An annual procession of the Car D'Or holding the relic shrine of St. George and a festival acting out the story of St. George slaying the dragon which dates back to 1380 (www.doudou.mons.be)

Brussels - Metropolis of Europe

Guided Tours of Brussels:
ARAU - See Europe's capital in a new light with art nouveau, art deco and other themed bus and walking tours (www.arau.org)
Le Bus Bavard - Offering themed tours of Brussels for groups and individual travelers (www.busbavard.be)
Pro Velo - Tours of Brussels and French-speaking Belgium by bike with themes like art nouveau, the city of Liege at night and "green" tours (www.provelo.org)

Bastogne - Commemorating American Heroes

Mardasson Memorial - A five-pointed American star monument built by the Belgians in memory of their American liberators (www.si-bastogne.be)
The Sherman Tank - This monument of Bastogne belonged to the 11th US Armored Division and still has the German bullet holes that stopped it in 1944 (www.paysdebastogne.be)
The Bastogne Historical Center will be closed from March 2011 until October 2012 for extensive renovations

Hergé & Tintin

Hergé Museum - New museum dedicated to the creator of the famous Belgian character Tintin designed by acclaimed French architect Christian de Portzamparc. Spielberg will be coming out with a new 3-D Tintin movie December 2011 (www.museeherge.com)
The Smurfs Movie - A new Smurfs 3D movie will be hitting US theaters in August 2011

Liége - Birthplace of Charlemagne

Not to Miss:
Liege-Guillemins TGV Railway Station - Stunning, new train station designed by renowned Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava (en.euro-liege-tgv.be)
Médiacité - Designer Ron Arad's latest architectural creation, Liege's new shopping mall (www.mediacite.be)
Nightlife in Liege - Find all of Liege's most popular cafés and bars in the area known as Le Carré ("the Square")

To Discover:
Palace of the Prince Bishops - Palace was completely restored and renovated by the 18th century and has a courtyard that is open to the public free of charge (www.opt.be/informations/tourist_attractions_liege)
Grand Curtius Museum Complex - Holds prestigious collections in the archaeology, decorative arts, religious art and Mosan art museums, as well as famous arms and glass museums (www.grandcurtiusliege.be)

To Browse:
La Batte Market - The oldest and largest public market in Belgium with 500 stands lined up along the Meuse River every Sunday
Christmas Market - The city of Liege turns into one large Christmas market with stalls lining the streets

Spa - The Mother of all Spas

Quaint town, great gastronomy (www.spa-info.be)
Spa-Francorchamps Formula 1 Race every August (www.spagrandprix.com)

Dinant - Birthplace of the Saxophone

Citadel - The current citadel was built in the early 1800's during the Dutch occupation (citadellededinant.be)
Suggest taking a river cruise or walking along the Meuse River!

Binche - Mardi Gras Carnival

Carnival of Binche - This colorful celebration dating back to the 16th century attracts thousands of visitors each year and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (www.carnavaldebinche.be)

Durbuy - The smallest city in the world

Famous for its gastronomy with many fine restaurants and charming hotels from which to choose (www.durbuyinfo.be)

Tournai - A Roman City with French Flair

Notre Dame Cathedral - This 5-towered Romanesque and early Gothic masterpiece is a UNESCO World Heritage Site built during the 12th & 13th centuries and one of the most impressive religious monuments in the world (www.worldheritagesite.org/sites/tournaicathedral.html)

An Inspiring Stay in Brussels

Hotel Amigo - Superbly located 5-star hotel in the very heart of Brussels, steps away from the Grand Place one of the most beautiful squares in Europe (www.hotelamigo.com)
Royal Windsor Hotel - Elegant and sophisticated hotel just off the Grand Place and other Brussels attractions (www.royalwindsorbrussels.com)
Forum Catalonia - A comfortable hotel offering free internet access in all rooms and throughout the property (www.hoteles-catalonia.com)
Dominican Hotel - Elegant hotel off the Grand Place (www.thedominican.be)
Odette en Ville - An intimate boutique hotel in the city's Chatelain quarter (www.chez-odette.com)
Be Manos Hotel - A contemporary boutique hotel (www.bemanos.com)
Aqua Hotel - A new hotel located within walking distance of the Grand Place and the EU institutions in the trendy Louise/Toison D'Or neighborhood (www.aqua-hotel-brussels.com)

More for Your Dollar

Novotel - Conveniently located properties offering breakfast, internet and comfortable rooms throughout Brussels (www.novotel.com)
NH Hotels - Properties in chic and historic locations throughout the city (www.nh-hotels.com)
Aris - A hotel with a personal touch walking distance to the Grand Place, Galeries Saint-Hubert and the Sablon area (www.arishotel.be)
Crowne Plaza - Recently refurbished using the lines and curves of Art Nouveau as inspiration and offering free WiFi (www.crowneplazabrussels.be)
Bed & Brussels - Search and make a reservation to stay at a bed and breakfast (www.bnb-brussels.be)

New Hotels in the Countryside

Crowne Plaza Liege - A 5-Star hotel steps away from the Citadel in beautiful Liege (www.crowneplazaliege.be)
Manoir de Lébioles - A majestic mansion hotel with pristine nature, discreet luxury and first-class service, tucked away in Spa, Belgium (www.manoirdelebioles.com)
Relais et Chateaux - Some of the most elegant and exclusive properties in French-speaking Belgium (www.relaischateaux.com)
Hostelleire Saint-Roch: Comblain-la-Tour, Liege
Hostellerie Lafarque: Domaine des Douys, Pepinster-Goffontaine, Ardennes
Auberge du Moulin Hideux: Noirefontaine, Province du Luxembourg
Hotel de la Poste - A river side hotel founded in 1730 with modern conveniences (www.hotelposte.be)
Radisson Blu Palace Hotel - A stunning hotel nestled in the Ardennes town of Spa, Belgium (www.radissonblu.com/palacehotel-spa)
Sanglier des Ardennes - Offers a magnificent view of the medieval château and the topiary garden in the smallest city in the world, Durbuy, Belgium (www.sanglier-des-ardennes.be)
Auberge du Sabotier - Surrounded by gardens and orchards, this picturesque hotel near the forest was a 17th century coaching inn (www.aubergedusabotier.be)

Experience

Music:
Concours Reine Elisabeth - A classical music competition focusing on a different instrument in May of each year (www.concours-reine-elisabeth.be)
Brussels Jazz Marathon - A weekend filled with jazz concerts throughout Brussels each May (www.brusselsjazzmarathon.be)
BOZAR - Museum of Fine Arts also hosts a variety of musical performances throughout the year (www.bozar.be)

Special Weekends:

Namur en Mai - Four days and 4 nights filled with comedians, magicians, merchants in 70 shows for a weekend (www.artsforains.com)

Ommegang Pageant - Each July, a colorful pageant is held in honor of Emperor Charles V in Brussels (www.ommegang.be)
Flower Carpet - Every two years in August, a 3,000ft² carpet made entirely of begonias is laid out on the Grand Place in Brussels. Next one is coming in 2012 (www.flowercarpet.be)
Brussels Beer Weekend - During the first weekend of September on the Grand Place, many small, medium-sized and large Belgian breweries will present their best selections of beers every year during the first weekend of September (www.weekenddelabiere.be)
Brussels Jazz Marathon - A weekend filled with jazz concerts throughout Brussels each May (www.brusselsjazzmarathon.be)
Sunday flea markets in every town and festivals celebrating historical events, antiques & fine arts, comic strips, music, beer, film and much more!

Special Interests
Art & Architecture - Beer Lovers - Chocolate Lovers - Belfries & Beguinages - Family - Castles & Gardens -

Gay - Jewish Heritage - War Sites - Green Belgium - Nightlife - Events

Ask us to send you our brochure of Brussels, French-speaking Belgium, Hotels 2011

and our new Art & Architecture flyer!

Contact:
Katie Papadopoulos
Press & Trade Coordinator
Phone: (212) 758-8130
Email: katie@visitbelgium.com

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